Happy 3rd birthday. What an amazing day it has been, celebrating YOU! We played in our monster bin this morning with pink (what other color is there?) water beads and bendy monters. Finn did everything he could to eat them, but you played with him so nicely. We went to Kohls and you picked out your baby Cinderella. We went to the park with one of your first ever kids meals, and watched Beauty and the Beast. We went to Chili's with daddy and Finn, and of course went trick or treating! What a blast we had with you... after every house you ran down the walkway in your beautiful princess dress and wand yelling "I got more treats! I got more treats! Lets go to the next one!" You were so polite with your "trick or treats!" and "thank yous!" You make us so proud.
The past three years have been the very best of my entire life. From the minute you were placed in my arms, to the moment I kissed you goodnight this evening, you have made my life have purpose and unconditional love. You were the first to call me "mom" (momma, mommy, ariana), the first to smile at me (Dec 28), the first to fall asleep on my shoulder as I rocked you to sleep singing Baby Beluga.
My Danika, how I love you. You are my breath, my heart, my life. You are the reason i get up in the morning, the last thing I think about each night. You and Finn are my heart and soul, the most important and wonderful people I've ever met. You make me strive to be the best person/mom I can be. You inspire me to work hard, and be magnificent, so that you will be proud of me and learn to be the best that you can be, too.
I cry tonight, because I have blinked and you are a big girl, no longer a baby. Your entire life you have amazed people with your beauty, kindness, spirit of adventure, love for animals nad people (especially babies), and your love for learning (and talking). The past three years have gone by so fast, and have been filled with so many wonderful memories.
This past year, you have filled our life with so many smiles, and struggles. Your willlpower has impresssed and frustrated us, as you've demanded your independence, which has made us so proud - it will serve you well one day! You have developed a love for pink and all things princess. We watched in admiration as you pranced around during your first ballet class. Your excitement over your "sassy boops" (boots) was overwhelming! We took you to the dinosaur museum for the first time, and you shook your tail feathers with daddy. We loved watching you rip open your Christmas presents open with gusto and enthusiasm, exclaiming their beauty and magnificence with each box.
The past year I have worked with you on preschool projects which you have taken over like a pro. On this day, you know all of your letters and sounds, colors and shapes, animals and sounds, and so much more. You have a love for learning that is simply inspiring. I cannot wait to watch you do the impossible as you grow older.
During your two year old year, you have learned how and when to use "NO!", and how many times "One more time" and "snuggle FREE more minutes" will work with both mommy and daddy. You have bowled us over in laughter as you've asked for "mailmen" for your owies. You welcomed Finn into our family with love and have toughened him up for the wild world around him with your toughness. I love to watch your zest for life, as you simply cannot walk ANYWHERE. Even to the bathroom, I hear your little feet running as fast as they can go.
Speaking of bathroom, we practiced for nearly an entire year before you finally got it! We are so proud of you, though ... and love how you classify your poopoos into animals, shapes and sizes. You have a need to show off your poopoos, and 99 days out of 98, you strip naked the moment you walk into the house.
My Danika, I know you will have memories of a momma who scolds, screams, and cries, but I hope you also have many memories of a momma who tells you how much she loves you and is so very proud. You make my heart melt with each sweet smile, leg hug, twirling dance, and bedtime snuggle. I will miss these early days that I am so incredibly lucky to spend with you, but I do indeed look forward to watching you grow into a big girl and enjoying dates with just you and I together. From the moment we discovered you on a pregnancy test, to my very last breath and beyond, I love you my Danika, always and forever ... you are my "i love you."
Love you baby girl,
Momma
